Dr. Darius Benton
Dr. Darius Benton
Associate Professor of Communication StudiesArts and CommunicationBiography
Dr. Darius M. Benton is an Assistant Professor of Communication Studies (Organizational Communication) in the department of Arts and Communication, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the University of Houston-Downtown. He earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Organizational Leadership from Regent University, his Master of Divinity degree with a certificate in Religious Education from Emory University, and Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communication from Norfolk State University. He has years of experience as an accomplished secondary school educator and ministry leadership professional prior to joining the UHD Communication Studies faculty. Dr. Benton's research interests include race and gender in the workplace, dynamics of youth serving organizations, and religious leadership.
Degrees Earned
Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University's School of Business and Leadership
M.Div. with a certificate in Religious Education from Emory University's Candler School of Theology
B.S. in Mass Communication from Norfolk State University's College of Liberal Arts
Courses Taught
COMM 1304 - Introduction to Communication
COMM 3306 - Business and Professional Speech Communication
COMM 3340 - Communication and Leadership
COMM 4310 - Communication in the Organization
COMM 4335 - Religious Communication
Experience Qualifications
Asst. Professor of Communication Studies - University of Houston-Downtown
Past:
High School English and Reading Teacher - Aldine ISD
Middle Grades English Language Arts Teacher - Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools
Middle School Graduation Coach - Atlanta Public Schools
Additionally, over 15 years of professional ministry and organizational leadership experience.
More Information
Benton, D. M. (Forthcoming)."Getcha Lesson": Gleaning Wisdom from African-American K-12 Educators Who Endured the Desegregation of Public Schools. In J.L. Chism, S.C. DeFreitas, V. Robertson, & D. Ryden, (Eds.) Critical Race Studies Across Disciplines (Ch. 5). Lanham: Lexington Books.
Benton, D. M. (2020). Hero or villain: A Character and Content Analysis of Erik Killmonger in the film Black Panther. Florida Communication Journal, 48, 111-136.
Benton, D. M., Ceballos, S.D. & Burton, M.S. (2020). Measuring Impression Management in Women Leaders of Color. Journal of Business Diversity, 20(3), 10-22.
Benton, D.M. & McCullough, C. L. (2019). Escalating Conflict and the Emotions of Firing an Employee. In R. S. Bisel & M. W. Kramer (Eds.), Cases in Organizational Communication (pp. 112-116). New York: Oxford University Press.
Memberships:
National Communication Association
Religious Communication Association
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.